ascendant Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun position or state of being dominant or in control
ascendent.
- that idea was in the ascendant
noun someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
ascendent; antecedent; ancestor; root.
adjective satellite tending or directed upward
ascendent; ascensive.
- rooted and ascendant strength like that of foliage"- John Ruskin
adjective satellite most powerful or important or influential
ascendent; dominating.
- the economically ascendant class
- D-day is considered the dominating event of the war in Europe

F. ascendant, L. ascendens; p. pr. of ascendere.

Ascent; height; elevation. R.
Sciences that were then in their highest ascendant. Temple.
(Astrol.) The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's life and fortune. ✍ Hence the phrases To be in the ascendant, to have commanding power or influence, and Lord of the ascendant, one who has possession of such power or influence; as, to rule, for a while, lord of the ascendant. Burke.
Superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency; as, one man has the ascendant over another.
Chievres had acquired over the mind of the young monarch the ascendant not only of a tutor, but of a parent. Robertson.
An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a progenitor; -- opposed to descendant. Ayliffe.

Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon.
The constellation . . . about that time ascendant. Browne.
Rising; ascending. Ruskin.
Superior; surpassing; ruling.
An ascendant spirit over him. South.

The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth. J. S. Mill.

Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position. Grote.